Rescue boats and air crews rushed to the Potomac River late Wednesday after a passenger jet carrying 60 passengers collided midair with a army helicopter in the course of the airplane’s strategy to Ronald Reagan Washington Nationwide Airport.
All flights into the airport have been stopped for the evening as a number of companies despatched divers into the frigid waters to seek for doable survivors.
Authorities haven’t reported any casualties at the moment. A federal regulation enforcement supply stated a “few our bodies” have been pulled from the Potomac River.
The American Airways stated 60 passengers and 4 crew have been on board the airplane coming from Wichita, Kansas. U.S. Military officers stated three folks have been on board the Blackhawk helicopter flying out of Fort Belvoir, Virginia.
“I’ve been absolutely briefed on the horrible accident which simply passed off at Reagan National Airport. Could God Bless their souls,” President Trump stated in an announcement. “Thanks for the unbelievable work being accomplished by our first responders. I’m monitoring the state of affairs and can present extra particulars as they come up.”
The Federal Aviation Administration stated a PSA Airways Bombardier CRJ700 regional airliner jet collided with a Sirosky H-60 helicopter because it approached Runway 33 at Reagan National Airport.
PHOTOS: Passenger jet, military helicopter collide near Reagan airport
Webcam on the Kennedy Heart caught an explosion mid-air throughout the Potomac. https://t.co/v75sxitpH6 pic.twitter.com/HInYdhBYs5
— Alejandro Alvarez (@aletweetsnews) January 30, 2025
In accordance with the Related Press, air site visitors controllers requested the coming industrial jet if it may land on the shorter Runway 33 and the pilots stated they have been in a position. Controllers then cleared the airplane to land on Runway 33.
An air site visitors controller requested the helicopter if it had the coming airplane in sight lower than 30 seconds earlier than the crash.
The controller made one other radio name to the helicopter moments later: “PAT 25 cross behind the CRJ.” The 2 plane collided seconds later.
The airplane’s radio transponder stopped transmitting about 2,400 ft in need of the runway, roughly over the center of the river.
The tower instantly started diverting different plane from Reagan.
Emergency crews initially stated they have been responding to a regional provider happening within the Potomac River close to the airport. The Coast Guard and authorities from the District, Virginia and Maryland are lining either side of the river in the course of the ongoing search.
A regulation enforcement supply stated cellular morgues have been dispatched to the crash scene.
Hamaad Raza informed WUSA-TV his spouse was aboard the passenger jet and texted him about 20 minutes earlier than it was alleged to land. He stated his texts again to her weren’t delivered.
“I’m simply praying that somebody is pulling her out of the river proper now as we communicate,” Mr. Raza informed the station.
Newly sworn-in Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth and Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy stated they’re monitoring the state of affairs.
The FAA stated all flights into Reagan National are halted till 5 a.m.
• This story relies partly on wire service experiences
